Published: Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 11:24 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 11:24 p.m.

LAKELAND | The couple who direct TiAnViCa Riding Academy in the Lakeland-Bartow area have two reasons to celebrate:

Recognition as a "premier accredited center" by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, which promotes equine-assisted therapies.

Receipt of a $123,000 grant from the George W. Jenkins Fund within the Community Foundation of Greater Lakeland.

The first shows TiAnViCa has gone through a peer review system in which trained volunteers visit and review centers to see whether they meet PATH standards.

"It shows our commitment to safety and providing the best program we can in our county," said Roger Meadows who, with his wife, Sara, directs the nonprofit academy.

"It's the highest level our center can achieve."

The grant helps it continue operating as a place where people with physical, emotional and cognitive disa-bilities can interact with horses, volunteers and each other.

"We have been able to work with many community partners to provide our services to individuals with disabilities, to disabled veterans through our partnership with the Haley VA recreational therapy department and with strategic partnerships with residential facilities for at-risk youth," Meadows said.

Although family members and volunteers help with the program, it takes community support to keep it going.

Its sixth annual Cowboy Up for TiAnViCa fundraiser starts at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Hilton Garden Inn at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport. Activities include dinner, a silent auction and a Kentucky Derby celebration. Tickets cost $35 each or two for $60. People can purchase tickets at http://tianvica.eventbrite.com.

[ Robin Williams Adams can be reached at robin.adams@theledger.com or 863-802-7558. Read her blog at robinsrx.blogs.theledger.com. Follow on Twitter @ledgerROBIN. ]

<p>LAKELAND | The couple who direct TiAnViCa Riding Academy in the Lakeland-Bartow area have two reasons to celebrate:</p><p>Recognition as a "premier accredited center" by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, which promotes equine-assisted therapies.</p><p>Receipt of a $123,000 grant from the George W. Jenkins Fund within the Community Foundation of Greater Lakeland.</p><p>The first shows TiAnViCa has gone through a peer review system in which trained volunteers visit and review centers to see whether they meet PATH standards.</p><p>"It shows our commitment to safety and providing the best program we can in our county," said Roger Meadows who, with his wife, Sara, directs the nonprofit academy.</p><p>"It's the highest level our center can achieve."</p><p>The grant helps it continue operating as a place where people with physical, emotional and cognitive disa-bilities can interact with horses, volunteers and each other.</p><p>"We have been able to work with many community partners to provide our services to individuals with disabilities, to disabled veterans through our partnership with the Haley VA recreational therapy department and with strategic partnerships with residential facilities for at-risk youth," Meadows said.</p><p>Although family members and volunteers help with the program, it takes community support to keep it going.</p><p>Its sixth annual Cowboy Up for TiAnViCa fundraiser starts at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Hilton Garden Inn at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport. Activities include dinner, a silent auction and a Kentucky Derby celebration. Tickets cost $35 each or two for $60. People can purchase tickets at http://tianvica.eventbrite.com.</p><p>[ Robin Williams Adams can be reached at robin.adams@theledger.com or 863-802-7558. Read her blog at robinsrx.blogs.theledger.com. Follow on Twitter @ledgerROBIN. ]</p>